Transcripts For CNN CNN Newsroom With Wolf Blitzer 20240913

Burnett Outfront Tonight at seven on cnn were following major developing stories right now. The two candidates today, back in critical Battleground States as one top democrat is now warning his party is not should not get complacent. I also happening this hour, the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland, is set to push back on trumps escalate leading rhetoric. Hell give a fiery speech. This hour. Well bring it to you live and a daring and historic feat. Hundreds of miles above earth. A four Person Crew of civilians completing the first ever commercial spacewalk hello, im Wolf Blitzer in washington and youre in the Cnn Newsroom today, the candidates are back out there on the Campaign Trail stumping in key Battleground States. Vice president Kamala Harris is delivering remarks in north carolina, a state that has voted for a democrat at the top of the ticket since 2008 . Donald Donald Trump is in arizona, fresh off what he says was his best debate yet. But many of his top allies say otherwise today, there in Damage Control telling cnn that his performance was at was at best a wash at the worst a loss theyre also trying to downplay what could be a key Voter Turnout Issue Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris, trumps Running Mate is claiming the Pop Superstar is quote, fundamentally disconnected from the problems of most americans but rather than respond to those attacks, Taylor Swift is encouraging your friend hands to get out and vote. Listen fan voted award and you voted for this. I appreciate it so much. And if you are over 18, please register to vote for something else expect from trumps first rally since the debate to cnns Alayna Treene is with me here in the Cnn Newsroom. Alayna, walk you through what are you learning, right . So today were going to see Donald Trump in 20 arizona, as you mentioned, his first rally since that debate. The event is being billed by his campaign is focusing on latino voters but as we know tomorrow, hes also going to have an event in las vegas, which is supposed to be geared toward his messaging on the economy. Well see if he sticks to it, but look, these are two issues from my conversations with people behind the scenes, trumps advisors, his allies, that they say they wish he talked about more and message better on Tuesday Night on that debate stage, when even no, youre hearing and you mentioned is Donald Trump. Publicly saying that he had the best Date Debate Performance of his life that he thought he won the debate. People within his orbit do not agree. They have been arguing to me that he she clearly won on delivery and style, but also that theyre frustrated that he did not do liver on many of the Talking Points that they had spent weeks preparing our own kaitlan. Collins had even reported he did more preparation for this debate than he did for the debate in june against joe biden. Now when i talk to these advisers, they say, look, it was clear he was distracted, he got derailed, but that was exactly what they did not want him to do. And so i think these events are trying to get him back on the message and talking about the things that they wanted him to talk about. Again, the economy, immigration, crime, im all things they think he got thrown off on on tuesday. Now, we did hear directly from one of these people Rfk Junior, ever since his endorsement of Donald Trump, hes become a top trump campaign surrogate. I want you to take a listen to what he said Vice President harris clearly won the debate in terms of her delivery her polish, her organization, and her preparation i think President Trump wins in terms of his governance but he didnt tell that story now, wolf, he also went on to say Rfk Junior that he thinks trump got successfully distracted by harris, something he called unfortunate. Again, what Rfk Junior said publicly is exactly what im hearing from people behind the scenes. And one of the clear things that just is underlying all of this ive been told is that they think there were missed opportunities, and so i think Thats Something theyre currently reconciling with. Sure. Youre all pretty disappointed with what happened during the course of that debate. Alayna, thank you. Very, very much. Alayna treene reporting for us meanwhile, the Vice President ial walz, is headed to the city of Grand Rapids in michigan. Later today, its his first Camera Pain Stop since Tuesdays President ial debate and his visit to that key Battleground State comes less than three weeks before he is set to debate his republican counterpart, senator Jd Vance Michigan democratic party chair, Lavora Barnes is joining us right now. Thanks so much for joining us. Lavora. What should be a Tim Walz . Does priority as he appeals to michigan voters who are of course a pivotal constituency in this entire election. Michigan, a key, key Battleground State you know were so excited to have Governor Weld here in michigan and on the West Side of the state from Grand Rapids, east lansing. Hes going to be talking to our folks about the issues that are important to them about good midwestern values. And hes going to remind people about the hard work we have to get done. Hes going to fire up our volunteers to make sure that were out there knocking on the doors and making the Phone Calls and doing the Work And Sort of running through the tape of this election. No complacency here in michigan, were working hard right up through The End. And Governor Walz is going to help us do that Today And Tomorrow here in michigan, were excited michigan democratic congresswoman debbie dingell. I women im sure you know well, gave a Reality Check to democrats crowds after Kamala Harris has very strong debate, performance, listen to what she told cnn earlier today, earlier this morning i think michigan is a dead heat. Theres just a lot of people in the middle to just closer than people realize what do you think . Do you agree . What is commonly harris need to do to get ahead in michigan we always knew it was going to be close wolf. This is a state where you work hard for every vote and thats what we do. Weve been doing it for years and were going to keep doing it in the field, talking to to voters. And i think Vice President harris and Governor Walz are doing exactly what they need to do. Theyre coming back to michigan. Theyre sending surrogates to michigan. Theyre supporting the work were doing here on the ground and theyre talking about the issues that matter to michiganders. Theyre reminding people who Donald Trump is, who he was as president and who he will be if we let him back in the White House and we know that things like refusing to say he wont veto a national board abortion ban, and other things that he said at that debate or not, the things that people of michigan wants to hear and what were doing is making sure that were telling the True Story about who Donald Trump is and remind people that Kamala Harris is ready on Day One to be commander in chief and not an incoherent bachelor like the president , former president was at that debate despite some promising encouraging inflation numbers, that were officially released by the government this week, Kamala Harris continues to lag behind trump with voters on who would better handle the us economy with just over 50 days until Election Day is kinda harris are running out of time to change voters perceptions on this truly critical, crucial issue now, while time is short, we are very close. We are not out of time. Theres plenty of time to continue these conversations. The Vice President does a terrific job of talking about the realities of where we are in terms of the economy. And she will continue to do that. She is from a middleclass background. She understand since the struggles of middleclass in this, in this nation and has a very clear plan for making sure that shes supporting middleclass, making sure folks have availability of Health Care Availability of childcare, which she absolutely understands what it is and why its important and making sure that we are taking control of pricing. Shes working on these things and shes going to keep talking about them all the way through to the finish line. Well be watching every step of the way Lavora Barnes, the chair of the democratic party in michigan. Thanks, deliver for joining us this just in another important story, were just getting right now, were learning a magnitude 4. 7 earthquake has just been detected in southern california. That according to the us geological survey, the Quake Craig was centered about four miles north of malibu. Our colleagues in the Cnn Los Angeles Bureau report, shaking could be felt in the citys downtown area. Were talking about los angeles. We will continue to monitor this developing story and bring you updates as we get them. Still ahead this hour, another Giant Leap for mankind to civilians, just completed the worlds first commercial spacewalk. Were going to show you the incredible video plus, the us is under more pressure right now to allow ukraine to use even more american weaponry ill ask Senator Jeff Merkley, What Happens Next . Stay with us. Well be right back you have moderate to severe eczema its okay to show off with depiction. 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The new Intensity Dark as you total control. I can turn it up nice and light. Enjoy what he needs of freshness your way morning, President Biden is facing more pressure to loosen restrictions on how ukraine uses longterm, longrange weapons that are provided by the United States democrat, democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen is the latest lawmaker calling on the White House to approve ukraines launching its missiles deep into russian territory, joining us now a fellow senator, Jeff Merkley of oregon democrat senator. Thanks so much for joining us. So you sit on the foreign Relations Committee along with Senator Shaheen where do you stand on this very, very sensitive issue as to what kind of range us missiles provided to ukraine can have. These are missiles that can go several hundred miles into russia. They create a risk of escalation, which is why we have not provided america is not provided permission to use them in so its a difficult decision. And at the pentagon faces as they wrestle with that issue of escalation. But heres whats not a difficult decision. As we look at the upcoming election, we have one candidate who fully supported ukraine, a bastion of democracy that believes in freedom of Expression And Freedom of voting, and freedom of speech versus putin. And we have trump, who is proceeding to pander to putin . Now, as he did when he was president before ukraine would be in grave difficulty with Trumps Approach both because Trump Hasnt supported Military Aid to ukraine, and because he hadnt supported the partnership with nato that has enabled the countrys to come together to absolutely provide the Materials Ukraine has needed to conduct this battle or as you know, a Secretary State Anthony Blinken has met again recently with President Zelenskyy in ukraine and says the us Will Adapt adapt his word as the word changes. Do you believe President Biden is inching closer and closer to granting ukraine that permission to hit russian targets deeper inside russia. Yes, everything im hearing is that the Executive Branch is leaning in that direction, but until they make that final decision, its not a guaranteed thing because it is a weighty question with a risk of further Escalation Russia has warned, as you know, that allowing ukraine to strike deeper into its own, into russian territory could escalate the conflict in a major way. Sources tell cnn that iran is supplying short range ballistic missiles to russia. Senator has the war already escalated . And where do you stand specifically . Should the us allow ukraine to use us missiles to hit various targets inside russia, targets from which the russians are launching attacks against civilian targets in ukraine but clearly the war has already escalated. Of course, ukraine has now taken without us weapons and long range missiles and moved inside russia, which is a very significant develop that few anticipated the missiles coming from iran are a big additional factor being, being weighed here weve seen an evolution in warfare in terms of the critical use of drones. So the battlefield is constantly changing in this regard. I am neutral on this question about the long range missiles being used further into Russia Russia has talked about using more dangerous weapons and an allusion to the possibility of nuclear weapons. I do not think they would go there, but we have to weigh this very the carefully. Yes, i know the pentagon is doing well when i want to play a clip for you, senator, you alluded to this from Tuesdays President ial debate, which All Of Us of course watch the former president Donald Trump refused to say he wants ukraine to win this war. Listen to this i think its a us best interest to get this war finished and just get it done right negotiate a deal repeatedly asked, do you want ukraine to win any any repeatedly answered. I just want this war to end. Whats your reaction to that . Yes. An affirmation of the position hes taken that lets just get out of there and let what happened. Its going to happen, which means letting Russia Roll over the top of ukraine. I mean, this is a difference between ukraine which had the Orange Revolution through throughout a president who is trying to put them under the thumb of putin who has stood for the liberties that we hold near and dear to our hearts versus a dictator in russia and a former kgb agent, putin, who wants to see a restoration of something equivalent to the the former soviet union. This really is democracy versus autocracy. And we have Kamala Harris and the side of democracy and we have Trump Pandering to putin on the side of a dictatorship. This is, this is a clear distinction between a candidate who values american values and one who doesnt Senator Jeff Merkley of oregon. Thanks so much for joining us. Thank you. Good to be. Thank you. And still ahead. A look at this video right now, the floodwaters from Hurricane Francine and golfing one mans Pickup Truck in louisiana. Good samaritan breaks the window to rescue the worst may be over, but cnns derek Van Dam is seeing the destruction left behind Hurricane Francine has moved on from Southern Louisiana, the remnants of flooding still remain. Ill have a live on the Ground Report coming up after the break moderate to severe Plaque Psoriasis symptoms define me emerge as, you with trump via most people saw 90 clear Skin Eye for months and the majority stay clear eyed five years to ease allergic reactions may occur, can fire, may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight that. 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But how can you sell your house or stuck on a faith, take it for months. Nine opened ill give you the ability to sell or buy on your timeline the house warming Thursday Night football, long prime its buffalo. My end as Thursday Night football back if the East Division rivals battle it out in a highpowered offense or so down, wont want to miss Josh Allen Bill adre versus two ends Night Football only all brought new glasses by one. Vision works im just telling everyone by one pair get one free for Backtoschool Vision works. See the Difference Morgan Stanley is partnering with the Womens Tennis Association to remove boundaries clean bet of litter. Join the Whisker Family and try a little Robot Today remain without power right down in louisiana after Hurricane Francine pummel the area with very heavy Rain And Wind on wednesday. The storm has been downgraded now to a tropical depression and it threatens parts of the southeast cnns derek Van Dam was on a beach On The Beach of a Lake And Louisiana yesterday where he experienced some of the storms harshest conditions i get one of those strong bans, it feels like youre getting the backwash and ive said it for the backwash of a Jet Engine there is joining us now live i derek, a very different Picture Today from what we saw yesterday. There was a live shot that you were doing for my show that situation room. Whats the status of this storm right now . What a difference a day makes, right . Wolf 24 hours ago, we were in the thick of it. Now, Southern Louisiana is cleaning up the pieces from what was a category two Hurricane Francine as it made its final landfall. And you can see some of the residual Flooding Leftover within this location, even in New Orleans, they received over a Months Worth of rainfall in that short duration of time, overtaking some of the Pumping Capabilities within the city. We saw some swift water rescues within that area, but us to our team, my Photo Journalist and producers we experienced quite a Situation Yesterday where we had the leave our live shot location, which you saw just a moment ago because of the extreme winds and flooding, rain that occurred, we started to see some water over topping the Sand Berm that was protecting our live location. So we had predetermined that we would leave if we saw that we did. And good thing we did because the water that filled in this area, it got quite high. And as we tried to traverse the roads morgan city, it was virtually impossible. And so people had to contend with that Flash Flooding that occurred from morgan city all the way to New Orleans now, the Cleanup Effort is beginning and people here are warned to stay vigilant because you dont know whats in this water. There could be down power lines, there could be chemicals there could be alligators for Instances Bob now the Storm Hasnt done just yet because it continues to move inland. Its still a tropical depression. You can see on the map here, its centered right over the state of mississippi, but its drawing in a lot of moisture from the Gulf Of Mexico and that is going to bring the potential for Flooding Rainfall into places like birmingham. Weve got about 14 Million americans under a Flash Flood Threat for the day today, centered across jackson, mississippi all the way to birmingham, but also the potential for tornadoes. You see that tornado watch box, that shading of red, including Panama City doesnt take much for these little bands that move in across the shoreline. They interact with the land, a spin up, and they create these shortlived tornado. So that is the threats going forward today as the system moves in, kind of rings itself out and brings in still an ongoing threat of wind that could down some power lines, take down a tree branches, and also cause some delays over at the airports. I am happy wolf to report. Thats louis armstrong airport, the International Airport in New Orleans, which canceled Flights Yesterday back to normal operations today. And theyll start to clean up the pieces there in that city. Soon as i always hear Hurricane A Category Two hurricane in this particular case, moving towards louisiana, i always start to worry about the folks in New Orleans, given the history of what happened 2005 with Hurricane Katrina without much delay, it didnt happen this time. All right. Thanks very much. Derek Van Dam on this scene for us, good work in just moments, the nations top prosecutor could give his strongest rebuke, rebuke. Yet of former President Trump. Were going to take you live to the Attorney Generals remarks as they get underway, a major speech coming up. Well have live coverage you just need a moment to take care of yourself nature made gummy Vitamins Selfcare has never been this easy from nature made the Number One pharmacist recommended Vitamin Supplement Brand jays really knows how to put the heart and your local community. See what i did there jackie evan, my god. You have was davids right you say asked my luggage when i started so much gathered for a Debit Card Ice cream. 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Com if you or a Loved One have mesothelial not well send you a free book to answer questions you may have called now and will come to you 808 to 14000 moments we expect to see and hear the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland confront the recent attempts to turn the us Justice Department into a quote, Political Weapon. It comes as former President Trump has ramped up his accusations that he has been treated unfairly by the Department Of Justice during his various criminal prosecutions. Of course, trump is alleging all of this while vowing to jail his political enemies if he wins reelection, i want to bring in our senior Law Enforcement analyst, the former Fbi Deputy Director Andrew Mccabe andrew, thanks very much for joining us, set the scene for us. This is going to be major speech by Merrick Garland. I dont think its going to be very long, but hes clearly going to be addressing the threats made by Donald Trump and i think hes beginning to speak right now. So lets listen in thats actually tape. Were looking at. So go ahead. Andrew, give us your sense of why the Attorney General has decided to make this address . Yeah sure will absolutely major speech previewed on on live television from the Great Hall, which is maybe the most hallowed place inside that legendary Department Of Justice building. And this is an absolutely essential move for the Attorney General in my view and heres why never before have the departments people have been under the level of attacks, political attacks false attacks, as they are experiencing right now, it is always been a privilege and an honor for people to serve in the Department Of Justice, but theyve never been challenged to serve in environment. That is so toxic. And in which they are suffering from mistrust and daily attacks of this nature. So what Merrick Garland has to do here is he has to lead and inspire those people in the Department Of Justice and all of its components like the fbi and the bureau of prisons and others hes got to inspire them to continue doing that work in a fair and honest and upright way despite being subjected to this incredible pressure, pressure in the form of political attacks, pressure in the form of threats of violence. People are are getting swatted. These, these are all people who have careers, they have families, many of them have children. And to subject your family to this sort of pressure is is incredibly burdensome and intense and can provoke great anxiety the Attorney General has to inspire this workforce to continue doing their good work despite that pressure, this is going to take is really going to draw on his ability to not just speak to the workforce, but to engender a Fighting Spirit and a loyalty that they are going to get behind him. And keep doing in this job no matter what comes their way, i have full faith in those people that they will rise to this challenge. But its really on Merrick Garland shoulders, right now to draw a pin, to draw a Fine Point on exactly what theyre suffering from, and to convince them to keep marching forward. Andrew standby, i think evan perez, our justice correspondent, is with us. Were going to go to him in a moment but is there any doubt in your mind andrew, that the Attorney General has decided to deliver this major speech, right now because of all of the threats coming from Donald Trump about the Department Of Justice, about the people who work there saying that they unfairly targeted him for various prosecution No Doubt whatsoever wolf, that is where these threats are coming from. It all emanates primarily from Donald Trump, but also then is reverberating un, echoed by his supporters particularly his supporters on The Hill, republican politicians on The Hill have picked up this mantle from Donald Trump and carried it in a way that is the abusive and destructive to the Department Of Justice. That is exactly who hes addressing. Your you may not use their names, but that is who hes talking about. Its this kind of pressure, these attacks and accusations of weaponization. Thats exactly what hes talking about here. We have a committee on The Hill on in the house to address the weapon and as the Department Of Justice, which is an absolute falsehood, its nonsense, but thats how actively Donald Trump and his acolytes have engaged in this campaign to try to break the will of the Department Of Justice and Merrick Garland is going to try to turn that around this morning. Yeah. I suspect youre right. He will clearly be addressed i think all the threats coming from Donald Trump, but i also suspect he wont mention trumps. Trump by name in going after him. But it will be clear who the target of this speech is. I want to read to you parts, a little part of the speech the Department Of Justice released an advanced text, at least have some excerpts. This is what the Attorney General america well, it is going to say actually, im not going to say because hes about to speak. Lets listen in. Hes walking up to the microphone right now. The Attorney General of the United States, america thank you, dawn for that overly generous introduction. Us attorney dawn eisen, served for nearly 20 years as a Career Assistant us attorney in the Eastern District of michigan today, she leaves that office im grateful to her for everything that she does. And i am grateful to all the us attorneys who are here with us today. For your leadership and for generously agreeing to invite the entire Doj Workforce to this Closing Session of the 85th annual us Attorneys Conference attorneys have traveled To Washington from across the country to meet with one another to discuss the most pressing issues facing their communities each year, the Attorney General addresses the conference. In recent years, Attorneys General have delivered their remarks only two us attorneys in a Small Windowless Room Upstairs in this building this year, i wanted to talk to everyone from here in this Great Hall. First and foremost, to thank you. All of you the over 115,000 public servants who make up this department . Every day and communities across the country and around the world. You do difficult and often dangerous work on behalf of the american people when a heinous crime has been committed, you are the ones to whom victims and survivors turn to seek justice on their behalf you are the ones to whom the american people turn for help when a community is targeted by Hate Crimes when a neighborhood is poisoned by toxic chemicals, when workers and consumers are harmed by corporate monopolies, when voters are unlawfully blocked from participating in our democratic process. When our country faces threats ranging from violent crime and Drug Trafficking to Terrorist Organizations and authoritarian regimes. You are the agents prosecutors correctional officers, victims Service Specialists grantmaking experts administrative professionals, and so many others who step up when you are needed. The most and in the wake of a horrific tragedies you are the ones to whom community is look for protection and for solace yesterday, we mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 Terrorist attacks on our country as we took. Time to remember all those who were taken from us on that day and in the years since we honored the doj employees who risked their lives in responding to the attacks they are heroes theyre service, and sacrifice remind us that when the american people look to see what the Justice Department stands for, they are looking to the example of the people who work here all of you i know that is an enormous responsibility. So i want you to know that you have not only my gratitude but the gratitude of every person Whos Life you have saved or changed through your work you do not hear it often enough thank you thank you for being selfless, public servants and patriots thank you for the countless hours that nights and weekends, holidays, and time away from family that you have spent because you believe in the mission of this department and be with because you want to serve the american people and thank you. Not only for the work you do, but for the way you do your work. With skill. And integrity that is what i want to talk about today this workforces ironclad commitment to the principles of fairness and impartiality that have long guided it. And why that commitment is important today as it has ever been at years ago then Attorney General Robert Jackson delivered a now famous address to the us attorneys right here in this Great Hall in that speech, he sought to remind us attorneys of the enormous power they hold as federal prosecutors. And the responsibilities that come with that power he defined what he deemed, quote, a good prosecutor as a person who quote, Temper Zeal with Human Kindness who seeks truth and not victims well, serves the law and not factional purposes, and who approaches his task with humility close quote that speech, which he titled the federal Prosecutor Outline values that of echoed in the halls of this Department And Outside of it for generation he gave, voice to the principles that have guided not only prosecutors, but all of our employees who understand deeply what is at stake when it comes to the fair and impartial application of our laws his words have inspired generations of public servants including me i first came to the Justice Department more than 40 years ago. At a time when both the leadership and the Career Employees that this department, were working to restore public confidence in the fair and impartial application of our laws. In the wake of watergate to do so department leaders like Attorneys General at levy griffin bell, and Benjamin Civelletti developed and formalize the set of norms to guide the Justice Departments adherence to the Rule Of Law relying on values, foundational to our democracy. In particular, the promise of equal justice under law. They put forward a set of policies to guide the Justice Departments work those included policies designed to protect the independence of the Justice Department from partisan influence guidelines for fbi investigations, regulations to protect the Freedom Of The Press and policies to ensure respect for the departments career. Lawyers agents, and staff and they included a project to set out for the first time in a single authoritative Source Set of principles to guide the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in my first job at the Justice Department, working for Attorney General, civelletti i assisted Matt Project the result was a slim paper bound volume and titled principles of federal prosecution published in 1980 as you well know, the current version of the principles is now a 23,000 word electronic Document And Shrine in the Justice Manual the purpose of those principles, as we wrote in the preface, was quote, to promote the reason to exercise of prosecutorial authority and contribute to the fair. Evenhanded administration. The federal criminal laws. Close quote much of that document is devoted to giving guidance to prosecutors about which factors they could should consider in a multitude of situation from initiating prosecution to selecting charges, disclosing exculpatory information entering into a plea agreements, and making Sentencing Recommendation but the core of the principles is its directive about which factors and attorney for the government may not consider in the words of that document, quote, the attorney for the government may not be influenced by a persons race, religion, gender, ethnicity, national origin, Sexual Orientation or, or political association activities, or beliefs by the attorneys own personal feelings concerning the person the persons associates, or the victim or by the possible effect of the decision on the attorneys own professional, or personal circumstances this provision of the principles ends with an admonition, quote federal prosecutors and agents may never make a decision regarding an Investigation Or Prosecution for the purpose of affecting any election or the purpose of giving an Advantage Or Disadvantage to any candidate or political party in short, we must treat like cases alike there is not one rule for friends and another for foes. One rule for the powerful and another for the powerless. One rule for the rich, and another for the poor. One rule for democrats and another for republicans. Or different rules depending on Ones Race or ethnicity to the contrary, we have only one rule. We follow the facts and apply the law in a way that respects the constitution and protects civil liberties over the past 3. 5 years. I have spoken to you often about the importance of these norms i know that too many outside of this department they may seem abstract or even inconsequential fe are anything but they must not be taken for granted. For us. Adhering to these policies principles, and norms in everything we do is how we fulfill the promise that is foundational to our democracy. That all people will be protected equally under the law. And that all people will be he held accountable equally under the law our norms are a promise that we will fiercely protect the independence of this department from political interference in our criminal investigations. Our norms are a promise that we will not allow this department to be used as a Political Weapon and our norms are a promise that we will not allow this nation to become a country where Law Enforcement is created as an apparatus of politics four decades, during which i served in different jobs. Both Career And Noncareer in this department. And in a completely different job in the judicial branch. I watched as those norms became woven into the fabric of the Justice Department and were sustained by its dedicated Career Employees. When i came back to doj in 2021 after a particularly difficult period for the department i said that my mission as Attorney General would be to reaffirm and strengthened those norms as the principles upon which that Department Of Justice operates so we took steps to better protect the departments criminal and civil Law Enforcement decisions and its legal judgments from partisan or other inappropriate influences to name only a few of those steps we reinstituted policies regulating contacts between Department Personnel and both the white House And Congress we strengthened and clarified the guidelines for sensitive fbi investigations we implemented remedial measures to ensure robust compliance with section seven o2 of the foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act we updated protections for the press and Law Enforcement investigations in order to safeguard the essential role that a free Press Place in our democracy, we publish new policies to guide prosecutorial discretion with respect to charging please, and sentencing we supplemented our State Secrets privileged policy to ensure that the United States and folks that privilege only when there is genuine risk to national Security And Department leadership restated and demonstrated through our actions again and again our respect for the Work And Integrity of the Career Employees who constitute the institutional backbone and historical memory of this department over the past 3. 5 years, i have seen how The Public servants of this department have continued to uphold and strengthen those norms i have seen how you have risen to meet a range of extraordinary challenges and i have seen in incalculable toll this work has taken on so many of you especially those who risked are lies, lives every day i am thinking of heroes like Tommy Weeks the deputy us marshal, who was killed while apprehending a fugitive earlier this spring and im thinking of heroes like tommys family, who have made the kind of sacrifice that no one ever have to make in addition to seeing out, you have operated in the face of dangerous like violent crime and terrorism. I have also seen how you have bravely carried on in the face of an unprecedented spike in threats targeting a range of public officials across the country over the past 3. 5 years, there has been an escalation of attacks on the Justice Departments career lawyers agents, and other personnel that go far beyond scrutiny. Criticism, and legitimate and necessary oversight of our work these attacks have come in the form of conspiracy. Conspiracy theories, dangerous false hoods efforts to bully and intimidate career public servants by repeatedly and publicly singling them out. And threats of actual violence through your work. You have made clear that the Justice Department will not be intimidated by these attacks . But it is dangerous. And outrageous that you have to endure them. It is dangerous to target and intimidate individual employees of this department solely for doing their jobs and it is outrageous that you have to face these unfounded attacks because you are doing what is right and upholding the Rule Of Law you deserve better you deserve gratitude for the noble and difficult work you do you deserve recognition for the Integrity And Skill with which you do that work . You deserve to be honored the work you do every day makes a difference. And the way you do that work makes clear that The Public servants of the apartment of justice do not bend to politics and that they will not break under pressure make in every investigation. In every filing in every trial, in everything you do to ensure the fair and impartial application of the law make this department and our democracy worthy of The Public. We serve. And for that, you deserve respect as i hope you already know, you have mine wholehearted you also have my promise that nothing will ever stop me from defending this department extraordinary people who work here i came back to doj as Attorney General, believing that our norms are some of the most powerful tools, we have to ensure our adherence to the Rule Of Law having now served as Attorney General for the past 3. 5 years, i continue to believe deeply that our norms matter. Now more than ever to our department and to our democracy i also believe now more than ever, that the most important resources the Justice Department has are the Dedication And Integrity of the people who work here. As we wrote in the preface to The First Edition of the principles of federal prosecution quote important though these principles are to the proper operation of our federal prosecutorial system the success of that system must rely ultimately, the character integrity sensitivity, and competence of those Men And Women who are selected to represent The Public interest in the federal criminal Justice Process it is with their efforts that the purposes of these principles will be achieved. Close quote i know that many of you have heard me talk about why the work of the Justice Department is so important to me personally shared that i wanted to give back to the country and to the system of laws that took my grandparents in them when they had nowhere else to go distinguishes america from so many other countries the protection of law the Rule Of Law is the foundation of our system of government our democracy relies on an independent Law Enforcement agency the Department Of Justice to ensure those protections and critically, our democracy depends on people who dedicate themselves and their careers toward ensuring those protections people like all of you as the obligation of every generation of public servants at the united States Department of justice and this time and place that responsibility is yours and it is mine i know we are up to it. I am grateful to each of you for your commitment to this department to the norms that sustain it. And to the people we all serve thank you strong statement from the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland getting very personal at The End of that statement as well. Evan perez is our justice correspondent, evan, this is i think its pretty extraordinary that he was delivering the speech clearly designed to go after Trump And Trump allies who have been really bitter in condemning the Department Of Justice. Sometimes calling it the department of injustice. Or he never mentioned trump by name. He never mentioned other trump allies by name. But clearly that was the attack that he was launching. Thank you. Attorney absolutely. I wolf. This is the Attorney General trying to at least speak out. Perhaps for the last time that were going to be able to hear from him because the election is in less than two months and we know the Justice Department has a policy whereby hes not gonna be able to do speeches after the beginning of october well speak so what the Attorney General was trying to convey here was not only a rebuttal to what the attacks that youve heard from the former president and some of his allies. But also from what you saw from the supreme cour